Call for nominations - deadline 6 February 2008

In accordance with the ESE byelaws we would like to invite members to nominate a candidate for the Executive Committee. There is one Executive Committee post available in 2008 and each Voting Member may make one nomination for the Executive Committee vacancy. The Executive Committee may also make up to two nominations for the Executive Committee vacancy. Further information regarding the current Executive Committee can be found in the letter and FORM A Nomination for Ordinary Executive Committee Member, both available by clicking on the links below. In addition to the Executive Committee nominations, and in accordance with the ESE byelaws, we would also like to invite members to nominate two Honorary Auditors to audit the 2008 accounts. The role of the auditors will be to review the annual accounts before they are presented at the Annual General Meeting for approval, and to submit their comments to the Annual General Meeting in 2009. Please find attached FORM B Nomination for Honorary Auditor. Nominations for both the Ordinary Executive Committee Member and the Honorary Auditors must be received no later than Wednesday 6 February 2008.

Call for nominations letter

FORM A Nomination for Ordinary Executive Committee Member

FORM B Nomination for Honorary Auditor

ESE Membership payment for 2008

We would like to remind members that the 2008 membership fee is now due for payment. The quickest and easiest way to do this is through the members section of the ESE website at www.euro-endo.org. Once you have logged into the member's area, click on 'My Profile'. Then click on Subscriptions, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on "I want to renew my subscriptions" and finally just follow the instructions on screen to make your payment online. Please note: The ECE 2008 earlybird registration deadline is 15 February and you will need to have paid your ESE membership to be able to register at the reduced registration rate for members. If you have any questions regarding ESE membership or your membership fee then please contact the ESE Secretariat on info@euro-endo.org

ESE website

ECE 2008 - Earlybird registration deadline 15 February 2008

The 10th European Congress of Endocrinology is taking place in Berlin, Germany on 3-7 May 2008. Online registration is now available and the earlybird deadline is 15 February 2008. In total 900 abstracts were received and all presenting authors will be notified by the end of January 2008. More information is available at the link below.

ECE 2008

Preliminary programme now available for 5th Postgraduate Training Course

The preliminary programme is now available for the 5th Postgraduate Course in Clinical Endocrinology. The course will be held from 17-19 April 2008 in Vilnius, Lithuania.

ESE courses

Notice of the 2008 Annual General Meeting

Notice is hereby given that the 2008 Annual General Meeting of the European Society of Endocrinology will be held at 18.15 on Tuesday 6 May 2008 at the International Congress Centre Berlin (ICC Berlin), Neue Kantstraße, Ecke Messedamm, D-14057, Berlin.

ECE 2009

The 11th European Congress of Endocrinology will be held in Istanbul, Turkey from 25-29 April 2009. More information is available at the website below.

ECE 2009

Join ESE today

Application and payment for ESE membership can now be made online. Please go to the online form at the link below for more details. A printable version of the application is also available and should be used if you wish to pay by cheque or bank transfer.

ESE membership

International Congress of Endocrinology - Registration now open

The International Congress of Endocrinology 2008 is taking place on 8-12 November 2008 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This meeting is the most comprehensive international gathering of endocrinologists, endocrine scientists, trainees and students worldwide. Online registration for this event has now opened. You can also submit abstracts online. The closing date for abstract submission is 31 May 2008. More information on this conference is available at the link below.

Conference website

New guidance on the effects of cancer treatment on reproductive functions

The Royal College of Physicians, The Royal College of Radiologists and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in the UK have published new guidance on the effects of cancer treatment on reproductive functions. Approximately 11,000 patients in the 15-40 age group are diagnosed with cancer each year, and for many of these younger cancer patients fertility is or will become extremely important. The report aims to improve standards of management of fertility for these patients, calling for nationwide provision and funding, and for a scientific approach to future developments. More information is available via the link below.

RCP website

Statins could help diabetes patients, say researchers (The Guardian, 11 January 2008)

Researchers have found that people with diabetes could benefit from taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs.

Full article

Predicting growth hormone treatment success (AlphaGalileo, 12 December 2007)

Researchers have developed a new mathematical model to predict the optimal dose of growth hormone treatment for children with short stature.

Full article

Dual therapy improves endometriosis pain control (Reuters, 8 January 2008)

Hormone suppression and diet therapy can be effective treatments to relieve pain in women with endometriosis who undergo conservative therapy.

Full article

Therapeutic Patient Education 2008, Self Management Support and Education in Diabetes and Other Chronic Diseases including the 4th International Dawn Summit

TPE 2008 including the 4th International DAWN Summit is taking place in Budapest, Hungary on 5-8 November 2008. This conference covers the latest advances in therapeutic patient education and self-management support in diabetes and other chronic diseases. The DAWN (Diabetes Attitudes Wishes and Needs) program is a global Novo Nordisk initiative in collaboration with the International Diabetes Federation and an international expert advisory board. For more information, please click on the link below.

Conference website

12th Annual Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology Meeting

The 12th Annual Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology Meeting will be held in Groningen, The Netherlands on 7-10 July 2008. Symposium topics include Steroid Hormone Action; Complex Gene, Environment and Behaviour Interactions; Olfaction and Reproduction; Neural Control of Social Behaviour; and Long-term Consequences of Stress. Abstracts for poster presentations will be available on-line in early 2008. For more information, please click on the link below.

Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology website

VII International Meeting on Cancer Induced Bone Disease 2008

The VII International Meeting on Cancer Induced Bone Disease 2008 is being held on 29 June - 2 July 2008 at Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK. Abstract submission is now open and will close on Friday 15th February 2008. For further information, please contact Kate Openshaw at BioScientifica on +44 (0)1454 642 240 or email conferences@endocrinology.com. More information is available at the link below.

Conference website

Impact of metformin versus the prandial insulin secretagogue, repaglininde, on fasting and postprandial glucose and lipid responses in non-obese patients with type 2 diabetes

Many studies have compared the effects of different antihyperglycaemic treatment regimens on postprandial glucose metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes. Of these studies, relatively few have included data on postprandial lipidaemia, and most have concentrated on obese patients with type 2 diabetes. The risk of cardiovascular disease is, however, similar in obese and non-obese patients with type 2 diabetes. In the post-prandial state, patients with type 2 diabetes are observed to have greater elevations in levels of glucose, insulin and triglycerides than those seen in non-diabetic individuals. Levels of glycaemia, insulinaemia and insulin sensitivity are important determinants of post-prandial lipidaemia, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In this study by Lund et al. the effects of two antihyperglycaemic drugs were compared in 96 non-obese individuals: metformin, which targets insulin resistance and repaglinide, which controls overall glycaemia. The study measured post-prandial metabolism by taking blood samples from the patients on the two different drug regimens. It was concluded that levels of glycaemia, triglycerides and free fatty acid levels were similar in the two drug groups, while metformin reduced fasting and postprandial cholesterolaemia and insulinaemia more than repaglinide. This supports the prescription of metformin as the drug of choice to target fasting and postprandial glucose and lipid metabolism in non-obese type 2 diabetes patients. Lund, S. S., Tarnow, L., Frandsen, M., Smidt, U. M., Pedersen, O., Parving, H-H., Vaag, A. A. European Journal of Endocrinology, 158(1), 35-46. DOI 10.1530/EJE-07-0500

Journal paper

ESPE Visiting Scholarship

The ESPE Visiting Scholarship offers financial support to members of ESPE or to their collaborators with the aim of gathering information and experience on a specific research issue OR on a laboratory technique in the field of paediatric endocrinology. Proposed projects should endeavour to increase general know-how in paediatric endocrinology at the recipient's home institution. The stated aim of the scholarship is to help recipients to overcome unforeseen obstacles which may arise in the course of a research project in a simple, quick and streamlined manner. The ESPE Visiting Scholarship is awarded on the basis of nominations made by an ESPE member. Priority will be given to applicants who demonstrate how they intend to bring important knowledge and/or techniques back to their home institution. The closing date for applications is 31 January 2008. More information is available at the link below or email espe@bioscientifica.com.

Grant website

European Calcified Tissue Society Grants

The European Calcified Tissue Society (ECTS) has a number of grants and awards available to assist with research in the field of calcified tissues and related fields. Grants include ECTS/Czech Society for Metabolic Diseases Eastern European Young Investigator Grants, ECTS PhD Studentship and ECTS Postdoctoral Fellowship. The deadline for all these grants is 1 February 2008. More information is available via the link below.

ECTS website

FP7 call for proposals: International Cooperation programme

The European Commission has issued a call for proposals for 'International Cooperation' activities under the Capacities programme of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). The activity area covered by this call is 'Supporting the coordination of national policies and activities of Member States and Associated States on international S&T [science and technology] cooperation'. The objective of the ERA-NET scheme is to step up the cooperation and coordination of research programmes carried out at national or regional level in the Member or Associated States through the networking of research programmes, towards their mutual opening and the development and implementation of joint activities. The deadline for submitting proposals is 12 February 2008. More information is available at the link below.

FP7 call for proposals

IOF-Servier 2008 Young Investigator Research Award

The International Osteoporosis Foundation - Servier Young Investigator Research Award is presented every two years to an osteoporosis researcher under the age of 40 and it aims to encourage young scientists to carry out high quality research. The award is supported by the Servier Research group in partnership with IOF, and awards euro 40,000 towards original research of significant value and international relevance in the field of osteoporosis. The project must contribute to ensuring that people with osteoporosis receive the best care possible. Applications for the IOF- Servier 2008 Young Investigator Research Award are being accepted until 3 March 2008. For more information, please click on the link below.

IOF Grants

FP7 call for proposals: Capacities programme

The European Commission has launched a call for proposals under the 'Capacities' programme of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). The call refers to Activity 6-2-2, which aims to provide support to the bottom up policy coordination initiatives undertaken by several countries and regions. Proposals should address the following policy areas: Developing an appropriate research and development (R&D) policy mix; Creating appropriate framework conditions for stimulating private research and development (R&D) investment; Improving the cooperation and transfer of technologies between public research institutes and private enterprises, including through developing public-private partnerships; Developing and making better use of incentives to leverage private R&D; Modernising the management of research institutions and universities; Enhancing the career development and the European, international as well as inter-sectoral mobility of R&D personnel. The total budget for the call is €7.5 million. The deadline for submitting proposals is 6 March 2008. For more information, please click on the link below.

Proposal website

EMBO Installation Grants

The aim of this new scheme is to strengthen science in participating EMBC member states. At present applications are accepted from Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Portugal, Poland and Turkey. The grants will help scientists to relocate, set up their labs and rapidly establish a reputation in the European scientific community. The scheme is entirely funded by the participating EMBC member states and successful applicants receive an annual support of EUR50,000 for three to five years. Each participating country sets an upper limit to the number of grants available per year. The scheme will be administered by the EMBO Young Investigator Programme. Institutions and successful job candidates apply together to gain funding beyond normal start-up packages. The commitment and support of the receiving institute during and beyond the tenure of the grant is regarded as an essential part of the scheme and is meant to ensure continued support of the academic career of the recipient. EMBO will administer the annual distribution of grants to the recipients. Successful applicants will be eligible to apply to the EMBO Young Investigator Programme once they meet existing requirements. The deadline for applications is 15 April 2008. For more information, please click on the link below.

Grant website

Growth Hormone Society Research Fellowships 2008

The Growth Hormone Research Society intends to award two Research Fellowships in 2008 to promote international exchange of scientific and clinical research expertise in any area of GH-related research. Awards of US$ 50,000 will provide personal salary support and travel costs for a post-doctoral scientist or clinical training fellow wishing to pursue a research project for one year in a host institution of their choice. For further details and an application form, see the GRS website at the link below or contact the GRS office at grs@AFDM.AU.DK. The closing date for receipt of applications is 30 June 2008.

Growth Hormone Research Society website

If you have any feedback on the content of the alert, email: jennie.evans@endocrinology.org

Please feel free to pass this email alert on to anyone you think may be interested.